Search - Royal Crown Revue :: Greetings From Hollywood

Proof That Jazz Is NOT Dead, but Alive and Kicking!

Dre13 | Connecticut, United States | 10/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lately, it doesn't seem that jazz is dead, but the genre definitely needs a classy zip. In the 50's and 60's, jazz had a certain elegance about it, that wasn't underminded by it's energy or sheer fun. Not a lot of bands seem to be able to do that anymore. When was the last time a classy, first-rate jazz band had a free show in New York City? How often do jazz bands tour all over the world and still make time to contact their fans on the internet? How often do first-rate jazz musicians stay after shows until they've met all of their fans?



The answer is: not often at all. I'd say never, but Royal Crown Revue does all of those and more.



The band, after 10 years of a busy and exciting career in dishing out what they accurately describe as "hard boiled swing", have proven to cynics and naysayers that they were more than bandwagon-jumping, trendy scenesters that followed a Gap commercial. This band has been committed to making original, soulful music, and doing innovative covers of tasteful classics. In their career, they've put rejuvinating energy into such old standards as "Beyond the Sea", "Stormy Weather" and "Salt Peanuts", showing any jazz fan that if they wanted to know the definitive version of any song, they can't stop paying attention to this band. On top of that, their originals demonstrate their musical genious as songwriters and musicians.



Their new album thankfully doesn't break this tradition. I thought that I knew the best versions of some of some of jazz's biggest standards, but their arrangement of "Come Fly With Me" even gives Old Blue Eyes a run for his money! This album is a best of the best without being a boring "Greatest Hits". here they provide some of their most obscure old gems, along with new covers and originals. The band takes to time like a great bottle of merlot: gracefully and with improved flavor. Some bands get more boring with years, yet this band manages to preserve their energy, their creativity, and their signature classic sound to release what may be one of the finest cd's of their career. If you don't know about this band, WAKE UP! If you think this band is another one of those "neo-swing" bands, you really ought to get with the times. This isn't 1996. It's 2005, and this band sounds better and brighter than ever. You can't claim to be a musical connoisseur until you know these guys, and this is a great place to start. What are you waiting for, bum?"

Topping the last two releases

Justin McDowell | Iowa | 07/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"RCR's latest offering comes blasting out like a note from Scott Steen's golden horn. Fans will appreciate the previously rare tracks from the band's sought-after 1994 demo and new listeners will not be able to deny the talent that seeps from their extensive repertoire starting with the essential 'Come Fly With Me' (preview it and two other songs on their brand new website). Every song following is filled with energy, romance, and enthusiasm. The new band members don't miss a beat.



By the end of the album, you'll be ready to relax to the lilting 'You Go To My Head' only to be jarred out of your romantic reverie as the horns come blaring back for a killer take on the classic 'Viva Las Vegas.'



This album is not only packed with an hour of awesome music, it also contains some of the best enhanced content I've seen on an album. Along with the killer design, it features photos of the band, stories behind the songs, an oft-requested/never-shown music video for their previous hit, 'Watts Local,' and more.



If you haven't heard from these guys for a while, have been an addicted fan for years, or find this is your first experience with the band, it's hard to deny this is a must have.



Support the band by buying from their site (and save money), where they also have an autographed version available."